Envelope moistening and sealing device



(No Model.)

1). SHAMBERGER.

ENVELOPE MOISTENING AND SEALING DEVICE. I

Patented Sept. 2, 1884,.

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UNrTnn STATES PATENT @Frrcn.

DANIEL SHAMBERGER, OF SHAMBURG, MARYLAND.

ENVELOPE MOISTENING AND SEALING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 304,568, dated September 2, 1884.

Application filed February 10, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DANIEL SHAMBERGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Shamburg, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelope Moistening and Sealing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a device for moistening the gummed flaps of envelopes and pressing the said flap down to seal it. The moistener and sealer devices may be used together, or the moistener may be used alone. The construction of the improved devices whereby the desired result is accomplished will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate what is deemed the best method of carrying the invention into effect.

Figure 1 is a side view of the combined device. Fig. 2 is a top view of same. Fig. 3 is a view of the moistener-pad as seen when turned over.

The letter A designates a base of metal or wood. The sealer device consists of an arm, B, having one end pivoted to the base by the pin 0, whereby the arm is adapted to rise and fall. The front end of the arm is widened to form a presser-plate, d, which has 011 its lower surface a pad, e, of any suitable material, such as cloth, blotting-paper, or rubber. This presser-plat'e is held slightly elevated above the surface 6 of the base, as seen in Fig. 1, by a spring, f. \Vhen in this position, an envelope may be readily shoved under the pad, thereby causing the moistened envelopefiap to lie down on the back of the envelope, and then by depressing the resser-plate the envelope will be sealed. Upon pressure being removed the plate will rise. Two posts, 9, stand apart and are fixed on top of the presserplate, and each of these is surmounted by a half-circular-shaped knob, h. The two halfcircular knobs comprise the device whereon the hand is placed to depress the sealer. It is obvious that one single knob might readily be secured by a screw or otherwise to the top of one or both posts, so as to cover the two posts, and thus adapt the knob to be detached.

The moistener consists of an arm, I, pivoted by one end on the same pin, 0, with the sealer, though independently movable. This arm has position between the two posts 9, and moves freely up and down between the posts. The free end of. the arm carries on its lower side an inverted cup or receptacle, 70, adapted to contain a sponge, n, or other suitable pad capable of absorbing water. On the top of the free end, and above the sponge-cup, is a knob, 12, which serves to receive the pressure of the hand when it is desired to depress the moistener-arm. A spring, q, between the moistener-arm and sealer-arm, serves to maintain the former normally elevated. The moistenerarm and sealer-arm have vertical movement in the same plane-that is, the former is directly above the latter. By this position of the two arms the top of the presser-plate d is adapted to serve as a seat, against which the envelope flap will be forced when the moistener-pad a is depressed. To wet the sponge, the moist ener-arm I must be turned completely over and back, as indicated by broken lines in Fig.

1. This movement places the open bottom of the cup uppermost, and enables water to be applied to the sponge readily. The arm is then turned back to its normal position, and the device is ready for use. An envelope-flap is placed above the presser-plate (land under the moistener or sponge, which is then de pressed upon the flap by pressing the hand upon the knob 13, thereby moistening the gum or mucilage on the flap. Upon releasing the hand from the knob the moistener-arm rises. The top edge of the envelope to which the flap is attached may then be shoved under the pad 6 of the sealer, as indicated by broken lines 6 in Fig. 1. This will bring the flap to its position against the envelope, and then by pressing the hand on the knob h the sealer-pad e is brought down on the flap and closes the envelope.

As already. stated, the moistener-pad, as shown, is a complete thing of itself, and may be used alone or whether the sealer is or not:

Having described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. A device for moistening envelope-flaps, consisting of a base and an arm pivoted by one end to the base and provided with a moistener-pad, as set forth.

2. A device for moistening envelope-flaps, consisting of a base and an arm provided on its lower side with a moistener-pad and adapt- In testimony whereof I affix my signature in IO ed to turn over to place the pad uppermost, as presence of two Witnesses. set forth.

3. In an envelope-sealing device, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a base, a movable presser-plate to close or seal the flap, and a movable arm provided with a moistenerpad having position directly above the said Presser-plate, as and for the purpose set forth.

DANIEL SHAMBERGER.

.Vitnesses:

JNO. E. Momus, JNo. T. MAnDoX. 

